If you want to learn how to describe trends (increase, decrease etc.), search for some news about house prices.
Here's part of a news article I found about UK house prices:
There was seemingly good news for UK home owners when Halifax announced house prices had risen by 0.3% in July 2011, boosting the average value of a property to £163,981. Halifax also noted that prices were 0.5% higher over the three months from May to July than in the previous three months.
But is it time to celebrate the renaissance of the housing market? Even Halifax’s index shows that over the preceding 12-month period, prices actually fell by 2.6%. Despite the price increases seen in recent months, we are finding that the average price of a property remains just under 13% below its peak in 2007.
Try to answer the questions below. Write a full sentence for each answer.
- What happened to UK house prices in July 2011?
- What do the figures 0.5% and 2.6% refer to?
- Compare the 2011 average UK house price with the 2007 average.
I'll share my answers in the "comments" area tomorrow, and we'll look at an IELTS question about house prices next week (Cambridge 7, test 3).
1. What happened to UK house prices in July 2011?
The house prices went up by 0.5% in July 2011
2. What do the figures 0.5% and 2.6% refer to?
The figures refer to the rate of increase or decrease of house prices in percentage points
3. Compare the 2011 average UK house price with the 2007 average.
Between 1907 and 20111, there is a noticeable decrease in the prices of the houses in the UK with just under 13 percentage points.
Posted by: sulaiman | September 15, 2011 at 11:07
1)The house prices increased by 0.5% in July 2011
2) changes in house pricess(comparision)
3)Between 2007 and 2011,there was fluctuation in house prices,but at the end of period,house prices were just under 13% lower than peak time period(2007).
OR
There was overall downward trend for house prices in last four years with just under 13% differrence,from peak time 2007.
Posted by: TAHIR | September 15, 2011 at 11:27
the price of housing in the UK accounted a modest growth of just 0.5% in July 2001.
the average price of housing in the year 2007 stood just below 13% . Although this figure increased after 5 yaers, the rate of growth was less significant, accounting a mere growth of just 0.5%.
Posted by: simran | September 15, 2011 at 16:26
Hi Simon,
This is great advice! In addition to house prices, I think reports on oil prices also contain useful sentence structures for Task 1 essays.
Regards,
Martin
Posted by: Martin | September 15, 2011 at 17:40
Hi Simon,
I am little bit confused whether to use " The house price" or "The house prices".
1. The house values rose by 0.3% in July 2011.
2. 0.3% was referred to the increase from comparing prices from May to July to those in previous three months.
While 2.6% was refferred to 2.6% decline on the housing prices over the 12 months before July 2011.
3.In average, the property value in 2011 is still 13% lower than that in 2007.
Posted by: Ed | September 16, 2011 at 05:17
Hi Simon,
Today i received my IELTS result.
Listening = 8.5
Reading = 8.0
Speaking = 7.0
Writing = 6.5
I am very much disappointed with my writing score, can you please suggest me should i go for EOR.
Regards,
Rocky
Posted by: Rocky | September 16, 2011 at 11:17
Hi Rocky,
From my opinion,go for EOR,but you should confident about your writing,when you apply for EOR add cover letter saying you have achieved 7 band before(if you have acheived) and exp about your listening and reading score.that wil help.
If you have time ,otherwise simply give one more time.
regards
TAHIR
Posted by: TAHIR | September 16, 2011 at 11:55
Hi Rocky,
from which university you have conducted IELTS?
thanks
Posted by: TAHIR | September 16, 2011 at 12:11
Hi Simon,
I want to ask if what are those personal pronoun aloud to use in writing task 1 and task 2? I'm academic module examine. Thanks.
Posted by: rommel | September 16, 2011 at 14:10
Hi Simon,
I want to ask if what are those personal pronoun "allowed" to use in writing task 1 and task 2? I'm academic module examine. Thanks. Sorry for my English. I forgot to proofread my sentence.
Posted by: rommel | September 16, 2011 at 14:15
CORRECT ANSWERS FROM SIMON:
1. In July 2011, UK house prices rose by 0.3%.
2. House prices were 0.5% higher over the three months from May to July than in the previous three months, but prices fell by 2.6% over the preceding 12 months.
3. The average UK house price in 2011 is just under 13% below the average price in 2007.
Notice that I have used the original text as much as possible - by doing this, you practise expressing ideas in the same way as an expert. Don't worry about 'copying' - we are just practising.
PS. Ed, you can use either 'the average house price' or 'average house prices'.
...
Hi Rocky,
I agree with Tahir's advice. You have nothing to lose asking for a re-mark.
...
Hi Rommel,
Have a look through my lessons and example essays. You will see that I often us "I" and "my" for task 2, but not for task 1. For task 1, I sometimes write "we can see that..."
Posted by: Simon | September 16, 2011 at 15:16
could you please comment on the following sentence?
The prices of accomodation in the UK rose in july 2001. however, the growth was less significant as it recorded a modest growth of just 0.3%.
Posted by: simran | September 16, 2011 at 15:48
That's fine Simran.
Posted by: Simon | September 16, 2011 at 16:02
thank you. I just wanna know how to descibe 2graph in 1question
Posted by: momo | September 20, 2011 at 23:12
Hi Momo,
Have a look at the lesson below:
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2010/06/ielts-writing-task-1-two-charts-or-graphs.html
I've done several other lessons about 2 graphs or charts - click on "IELTS writing task 1" in the category menu on the left, and have a look through the lessons.
Posted by: Simon | September 21, 2011 at 12:41
how will you determine Simon how to use rise or rose and fall and fell with proper preposition proceeding the verb.?
Posted by: Rommel | September 22, 2011 at 07:56
Hi Rommel,
Did you mean "proper preposition after the verb" (i.e. 'rose to' or 'rose by')?
rose to = the number it reached
rose by = the difference between the old number and the new number (i.e. the change)
Posted by: Simon | September 22, 2011 at 10:32
that's right simon thank you but can you give me just a few examples? thnx
Posted by: rommel | September 22, 2011 at 10:59
Hi Rommel,
I'll make a lesson about it on Sunday.
Posted by: Simon | September 23, 2011 at 10:04
you such a great help. Thank you for the patience you're giving not only to me but also to those who would like to improve their band scores.
Posted by: rommel | September 24, 2011 at 07:49
Hi Simon
1)house prices rouse by3%
2)0.5refers to the rise ii hose prices from May to July over the previous three monthes
3)House prices fall by more than13%below the peak of2007
would you please corrot my my mistakes..Tanks alot
Posted by: Moura | October 08, 2011 at 21:56
Hi Moura,
You need to check carefully for spelling mistakes.
Posted by: Simon | October 10, 2011 at 10:00
hi simon,
why can't we use 'than that of' instead of 'than in the previous ' in the second answer?.
Posted by: rajarajan | March 11, 2012 at 02:35
I suppose you could use "than those" (those is plural because it refers to prices).
Posted by: Simon | March 11, 2012 at 13:03
Hi Mr Simon,
I have a question regarding pronunciation, the word 'renaissance' to be exact. I found that the pronunciation of this word is completely different between British and American. Can British recognize this word when I say it in American way as they might not be familiar of that pronunciation?
Thank you.
Posted by: Thai | June 11, 2014 at 14:39
... familiar with ...
Posted by: Thai | June 11, 2014 at 14:42